Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has directed that the Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) building in central Lagos be pulled down after a fire left the structure dangerously unstable.
The governor issued the order on Friday while inspecting the affected building on Martins Street. He said a technical assessment carried out by experts confirmed that the intense heat from the fire seriously weakened the building, making it a major safety risk.
Sanwo-Olu explained that the demolition would be carefully managed and carried out in phases, with strict safety measures in place to prevent damage to surrounding shops and to protect members of the public.
As part of precautionary actions, all shops along Martins Street have been shut, and traders were asked to move their goods out of the area and relocate temporarily.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency has opened a help desk at the scene to assist families looking for missing persons or seeking information about anyone who may have been inside the building at the time of the incident.
Although no date has been announced for the demolition, the governor assured residents that emergency and safety teams would remain on ground, while the area is secured to safeguard nearby buildings in the busy commercial area.
